Benefit calculation examples

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

Temporary Total Disability benefits will begin on the sixth day following disability from work except in cases where the injured worker is hospitalized overnight or time loss exceeds 14 days. Under these conditions, benefits are payable from the date of disability.

• During the first 52 weeks of disability, the income benefit level paid depends on the injured worker's average weekly wage. Most injured workers will be paid 67% of their gross wage. However, the benefit level cannot be higher than 90% of the average state wage, or lower than 45% of the average state wage. An injured worker cannot receive more than 90% of their average weekly wage unless that amount falls below 15% of the State Average Weekly Wage.
• Income benefits subsequent to the first 52 weeks shall not exceed benefits paid during the first 52 weeks of total disability except as the same may be increased by reason of increases in the State Average Weekly Wage. Where an employee's benefit rate for the first 52 week period was less than the minimum prescribed above, the benefit rate thereafter shall not be less than 45% of the current applicable State Average Weekly Wage.

A State Average Weekly Wage of $534 is used to illustrate the calculation of benefits in these examples.

The minimum allowable rate is 45% of the State Average Weekly Wage. The maximum allowable rate is 90% of the State Average Weekly Wage.

• An injured worker earns $300 a week. 67% of the worker's wage equals $201. The minimum allowable rate is 45% of the State Average Weekly Wage and 45% of the State Average Weekly Wage is $240.30. Since 67% of the worker's wage is less than the minimum allowable rate, the employee would receive $240.30. If this employee is disabled beyond 52 weeks, the income benefits would remain at 45% of the current State Average Weekly Wage.
• An injured worker earns $600 a week. 67% of the worker's wage is $402. The worker will receive $402 since this amount falls between 45% and 90% of the State Average Weekly Wage. If this employee is disabled beyond 52 weeks, the income benefit would be reduced to 67% of the State Average Weekly Wage, or $357.78.
• An injured worker earns $800 a week. 67% of the worker's wage is $536. The maximum allowable rate is 90% of the State Average Weekly Wage and 90% of the State Average Weekly Wage is $480.60. Since 67% of the worker's wage is more than the maximum allowable rate, the employee would receive $480.60. If this employee is disabled beyond 52 weeks, the income benefit would be reduced to 67% of the State Average Weekly Wage, or $357.78.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

If an injured worker is only able to work for reduced hours or for reduced pay during the period of recovery, benefits are payable at 67% of the decrease in wage-earning capacity, but in no event to exceed the income benefits payable for temporary total disability. A State Average Weekly Wage of $534 is used to illustrate the calculation of benefits in these examples.

• If an injured worker earned $300 per week before the injury, but after the injury is working at modified duty earning $250 per week, the decrease in wage earning capacity is $50 ($300 - $250). 67% of $50 is $33.50. The injured worker will receive $33.50 per week while on Temporary Partial Disability.
• If an injured worker earned $900 per week before the injury, but after the injury is working part-time at a modified duty job earning $150 per week, the decrease in wage-earning capacity is $750 ($900-$150). 67% of $750 is $502.50. However, while the injured worker was totally disabled, the Temporary Total Disability (TTD)benefit amount was $480.60 because it was limited to the state maximum (90% of the State Average Weekly Wage). Since the Temporary Permanent Disability (TPD) benefit cannot exceed the TTD benefit, the TPD benefit is $480.60.

Permanent Partial Impairment (PPI)

The amount of pay for a Permanent Partial Impairment is calculated using the percentage of impairment given by the physician. The percentage of impairment is multiplied by 500 weeks. The resulting number of weeks is then multiplied by 55% of the State Average Weekly Wage in the year of the injury.

A State Average Weekly Wage of $534 is used to illustrate the calculation of benefits in this example.

• According to statute, the loss of a whole man is 500 weeks. A 25% impairment as compared to the loss of the whole man is equal to 25% of 500 weeks which is 125 weeks. This amount is then multiplied by 55% of the State Average Weekly Wage in the year of the injury. 125 weeks x $293.70 = $36,712.50.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

The percentage of Permanent Partial Disability is determined by the Industrial Commission and is dependent upon the facts of the case. Benefits are paid at 55% of the average state wage at the time of the injury for a specified number of weeks, based on the percentage of the disability award.
Idaho Industrial Commission

Fatality benefit calculation

If a worker dies as the result of a compensable accident or disease within four years, death benefits are payable as follows:

• Burial expenses up to $6,000 plus transportation of the body.
• 45% of the State Average Weekly Wage is paid to the widow or widower for a maximum of 500 weeks.
• If there is a dependent widow or widower, an additional 5% of the State Average Weekly Wage is paid to each dependent child (to a maximum of three). This benefit is paid until the child reaches age 18 or marries.
• If there is no dependent widow or widower, 30% of the State Average Weekly Wage is paid for one child and 10% for each additional child (to a maximum of three). The total benefit paid cannot exceed 60% of the State Average Weekly Wage. The benefits are divided equally among all children.
• In the event of remarriage before the expiration of 500 weeks, a lump sum amount will be paid to the widow or widower equal to either 100 weeks or the balance of the death benefits, whichever is less.
• In no case can benefits exceed 60% of the State Average Weekly Wage in the year of the injury or 60% of the average weekly wage of the deceased, whichever is less. A State Average Weekly Wage of $534 is used to illustrate the calculation of benefits in these examples:

Widow or widower only: 45% of $534 = $240.30 paid until January 1 of the following year. Thereafter, the rate is adjusted to 45% of the State Average Weekly Wage for the current year.

Widow or widower with three children: 45% of $534 = $240.30 plus 5% for each child (5% of $534 = $26.70 x 3 children = $80.10). The total payment equals $320.40 each week. The rate is adjusted at the beginning of each year based on the State Average Weekly Wage for the current year.

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